Island of Syros, Greece

THE GREEK OPERA STUDIO

The Greek Opera Studio founded in 2010 by General / Artistic Director Eilana Lappalainen, is in conjunction with the International Festival of the Aegean and ELArtists based in the United States, Greece, and Germany.

About Us

The Greek Opera Studio founded in 2010 by General / Artistic Director Eilana Lappalainen, is in conjunction with the International Festival of the Aegean and ELArtists based in the United States, Greece, and Germany. ELArtists supports three summer Opera Studios (Greek Opera Studio, Berlin Opera Studio, and Hamburg Opera Studio) and the new, Palm Beach Vocal Arts. These organizations with the mission to build Young Artists in professional solo career’s, is directly connected to a production company presenting performances at the world famous concert venue, Carnegie Hall in New York City. European concerts are also presented, where young artists are sometimes selected to make debut’s in important cities. Ms Lappalainen, as a soprano herself, has supported the growth of young talented vocal artists specializing in Classical Voice and Opera, throughout her entire opera career.

The GREEK OPERA STUDIO is a summer performance / study program based on the classical vocal art form, and suited for entry level young artists focused on a career in the world of opera. Advanced university students and younger singers interested in intensive training and stage development, are welcome to apply to prepare for future opera auditions, advancing to the regional and international stages in this vocal profession. Due to the GOS Apprentice Program, various departments have been created which assist in the process of a young artists development. The Greek Opera Studio has formed three categories based on experience and professional needs. 1) Resident Artist, 2) Young Artist, and 3) Apprentice Artist. We are excited to build and welcome young talent with individual care and communication. Each applicant will be selected and positioned in performances according to their level of vocal development. Casting for the summer season, both on the professional stage and in the opera studio, is carefully managed with sensitivity for the vocal demands and needs of each artist. In this opera studio, all casting is based on the foundation and example of a German based OPERA ENSEMBLE. This represents every solo voice type needed for each production, as one would experience in preparation for a German opera house. The studio allows each participant numerous performance opportunities. Intensive study is the foundation of the summer, however the program provides full opera productions, concerts, staged opera gala’s, and even children’s performances. It is possible to be cast in leading roles, smaller roles, cover positions, or have the opportunity to study important opera roles while participating in the ensemble. Each position is tailor made for the young artist, if chosen.

In the summer season of 2024, the Greek Opera Studio will start in Athens Greece the first week of July, and then travel from Piraeus Port to to the island of Syros by boat with Blue Star Ferries. Syros is located in the middle of the Aegean Sea, and is a highlight for tourists interested in cultural events and Cycladic history. Syros and the main city on the island, Hermoupolis, is the capitol of the Cyclades. This historic port and capitol filled with Neo-classical buildings, includes the beautiful Apollo Theater (Piccola la Scala), built by the Italians hundred of years ago. The Apollo Theater along with the University of the Aegean, is the heart of the Opera Studio and the International Festival of the Aegean. Most all performances will be held in the theater, as well as other locations around the island. The Greek Opera Studio is in direct collaboration with the International Festival of the Aegean. In 2024, the main stage production for the Festival will be Puccini’s Turandot. All opera studio participants are involved with this production learning the lighter roles, singing small roles and the chorus, and even covering larger roles. The Opera Studio 2024 production is Donizetti’s Don Pasquale. This production will be performed by the opera studio highlighting the 2024 participants. Additional performances include the Festival Kick-off in Della Grazia at Tsiropina, a concert in Athens, Greece, a Children’s performance and a liederabend, the GOS Gala performance with staged opera scenes suited to the participants, all at the Apollo Theater. As a special aspect of the studio, selected students will be chosen to also perform in a professional concert series in Germany for the final performance dated the first week of August, joining the Berlin Opera Studio.

Prospective Applicants

In past years, new positions have been added to include apprentice pianists and conductors. Those applicants applying for such positions must prepare the regular application requirements, including MP4 video clips. The program details for these applicants will vary in time and positioning, pending on the festival or studio assignments. If chosen, conductors and pianists would be cast for specific productions, while working as assistants to the festival music staff. They would be working with the stage directors in opera studio and in main stage productions, and would stand as a leader and musical staff member for the Greek Opera Studio participants. They would be in direct contact with GOS singers in coaching’s and rehearsals.

The vocal participants in the Greek Opera Studio will be scheduled for daily study and rehearsals for over five weeks both in Germany and in Greece. They will have the opportunity to study and work with a high level international staff, in language, voice, and with stage craft. Performance opportunities include, the festival Kick-off, numerous concerts, a Liederabend & Musical Theater evening, Puccini’s Turandot, Bravo! Brava! For children, Donizetti’s Don Pasquale. All participants chosen will be able to perform while studying, and being groomed for an opera career by the specialists guiding the summer program. There is a possibility for multiple casts, as well as perform in the ensemble of the main stage production, Turandot at the Apollo Theater. Other extended Oratorio performances and grand gala’s for the Festival of the Aegean, will be announced at the start of 2024. Opera participants can be featured or groomed for various positions based on the development of the voice and career.

Another application announcement for 2025! I will ask Sawyers to make a new one. It can go on the top of the red one so there is no cream blank space.

A secondary program merged with GOS and the Festival of the Aegean, will include Greek Residents (presenting a Greek passport and residency papers) including participation throughout the summer program and performances in Greece.The application process is the same as for the international young artists, however, housing, and the number of classes, roles, and conditions may vary. All applications for the Greek residents are set individually, pending on acceptance after the application process. The young artists circumstances will be taken into consideration for such scholarship discounts. The support of Greek Artists, the Greek culture and voice, a gift is granted from a private sponsor, subsidizing a portion of the application fee. The mission is to advance international and Greek cultural exchange, for those young artists interested in the vocal art form.

The Greek Opera Studio will provide private coaching’s, private voice, Master Classes, movement/dance classes, acting training, oratorio classes, language, career placement, and audition presentation. The staff will include teachers, and artists who have worked in the worlds most respected music and opera venues such as La Scala, Carnegie Hall, San Francisco, The Metropolitan Opera, The Deutsche Oper Berlin, Vienna State Opera, Bellas Artes Mexico City, and many Germany opera houses. The selected staff works presently in the international opera business performing, conducting and directing, as well as teachers in European cities. The Greek Opera Studio participants experience a variety of options expanding and exposing young talents to the world of opera. We are more than a studio, we include you into our world of opera!